Caregiver psychiatric symptoms, assessment delay, and access to supports for children with neurodevelopmental conditions

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are significant barriers to accessing assessments and supports for children with neurodevelopmental conditions and their families. This study examined the influence of elevated psychiatric symptoms in caregivers on delays to assessment and access to supports for their children and themselves. METHODS: This cross-sectional study from the Sydney Child Neurodevelopment Research Registry collected information about caregiver psychiatric symptoms, and access and barriers to supports. Participants were 187 children and their caregivers who presented to a tertiary diagnostic and assessment service. RESULTS: Children of caregivers with elevated psychiatric symptoms had a one-year delay in accessing developmental assessment, compared to children of caregivers without elevated psychiatric symptoms. This was despite there being no significant difference in the age at which caregivers first detected a developmental delay in children. Caregivers with elevated psychiatric symptoms also reported greater perceived support needs for themselves and their child, and increased barriers to accessing these supports. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a complex inter-relationship between caregiver mental health and access to supports and intervention services for children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Caregivers with elevated psychiatric symptoms report greater service needs for themselves and their child, as well as reporting more barriers when accessing these services. Results suggest elevated caregiver psychiatric symptoms provide a useful indicator for enhanced support pathways and specialised care. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-025-07403-0.